DEAL TOWN have begun their search for a new manager following Simon Bryant's departure to take over as Herne Bay boss.

Bryant handed in his resignation at the end of last week and two strong candidates have already emerged as his possible successor: former Deal player Mark Seager, who is now at Whitstable, and Deal reserve team manager Derek Hares.

Seager, a member of Deal's FA Vase winning side in 2000, rejoined Deal for a second spell last season but was then released by Bryant in February this year as a cost-cutting exercise. The added attraction for Deal of Seager is that they would be getting an experienced player, who intends playing for another three or four years, as well as a manager.

Seager, 31, said: "Deal have asked me if I would interested in becoming their manager, and I feel honoured to have been asked.

"But it's all come a bit quick to be honest, and I have told Deal I need time to think things over.

"I have always said that I would like to move into management at some stage, but I want to carry on playing for a few years yet and being a player-manager is obviously more difficult."

Hares, meanwhile, has already led Deal Reserves to two trophies this season, the Kent League Division One South title and Kent Intermediate Cup, with the Division One championship play-off still to come, and has confirmed that he would like to have the chance to show what he can do as first-team manager.

Deal chairman Graham Johns said: "We are disappointed that Simon has left and we wish him all the best at Herne Bay, but we have to move on now and we have other irons in the fire.

"David Saunders, who is taking over from me as chairman, will handle all the negotiations over the new manager and we are delighted at the level of interest that has already been shown."

Bryant succeeded Dave Dadd as manager two years ago and last season led Deal to third place in the Kent League after they had finished third from bottom the previous year.

Deal briefly led the table this season just before Christmas, but their performances dipped in the second half of the campaign and Bryant's decision to release Seager was not well received by some fans.

Herne Bay, whose previous manager Nick Denly resigned earlier this month, approached Bryant about taking over and the former Deal striker decided it was time to move on.